Move: Sony not expecting huge day one

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 26 August, 2010

Word of mouth will do the trick instead.

Sony expects motion controller PlayStation Move will succeed through strong word of mouth over time rather than huge sales at launch.

The PS3 manufacturer reckons friend to friend recommendations will help sell Move controllers in the same way it did the EyeToy add-on.

"Move is a natural extension in the same way as we brought EyeToy to PS2," Sony Computer Entertainment senior vice president Ray Maguire told Eurogamer at the Edinburgh Interactive Festival yesterday.

"Exactly as with EyeToy in the PS2 days, it's a product that needs to be sampled. You need to get your hands on it. You need to understand it. You need to try it.

"Am I expecting a massive day one? Not particularly. We didn't with EyeToy, either. It went on to be massively successful.

"As people saw the value when they tried it they told their friends. Their friends bought it. They told their friends. Word of mouth grew the marketplace. That's what I expect from Move as well."

PlayStation Move will be released in the UK on 15th September. The Move controller on its own costs £35, the Navigation Controller £25, and the Starter Pack, which includes the PlayStation Eye camera, £50.

Sony will also release two PS3 Move bundles. £285 will get you a 320GB PS3 with the Move Starter Pack, and £250 will get you the 160GB bundle.

Maguire said content and word of mouth will convince gamers to pick PlayStation ahead of Microsoft and its rival motion add-on Kinect, which launches on 10th November, this Christmas.

"As always they'll look at the facts, consult with their friends, and make a decision based on both those elements," Maguire said.

"When we see people sampling it the outcome is everyone's delighted by the experience. That's the most important thing. The creativity in terms of the games being created for it already show a marked difference from the genres we had in the EyeToy space.

"It's not only about the keepy-uppy and the wishy-washy. We're starting to think about Move and how you use that in games like LBP or Killzone, some major games. With that attitude it starts becoming less of a novelty and more of just another way of enjoying the games we all know and love."

At E3 2010 in June and gamescom last week Sony went big on Move, which it hopes will increase the 38.1 million global sales of the PS3.

20 games that either use or support Move are expected to launch by the end of March next year, including racer Gran Turismo 5 and science fiction first-person shooter Killzone 3.

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (47) Latest comment 1 year ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • systems #1 1 year ago

    Of course you're not going to get massive day one. It's coming out just as everyone has cleaned out their bank accounts on their summer holidays.

    Wait for Christmas sales. Move alone, Move.

  • Fab4 #2 1 year ago

    if they wanted word of mouth to do the trick they should have went for speech-control ;)

  • woodnotes #3 1 year ago

    "Of course you're not going to get massive day one. It's coming out just as everyone has cleaned out their bank accounts on their summer holidays."

    Halo Reach is clearly doomed.

  • des #4 1 year ago

    So Move will flop...good,good

  • repairmanjack #5 1 year ago

    Any way to get the demo disc if you're not buying the starter pack? (I already have the Eye).

  • rudderless #6 1 year ago

    I think he's right. Word of mouth for this will likely be very, very good once people see how precise it is.

  • Psychotext #7 1 year ago

    I'm guessing that the pre-orders aren't exactly what they were hoping for.

  • bodypopper #8 1 year ago

    I've tried it, it's fun - the closest you can get to a 'Wii HD'.
    As long as the software is there, it'll gain momentum come Christmas especially with the PS3 bundle deals.
    Edited by 1 at 26/08/10 @ 11:46

  • Bradach #9 1 year ago

    EUROGAMER "20 games that either use or support Move are expected to launch by the end of March next year"
    more than 40 games will support move by march next year

    @repairmanjack
    you'll be able to download all the demos from the PSN at launch
    Edited by 1 at 26/08/10 @ 11:47

  • karooo #10 1 year ago

    @des its a pretty good accessory, Deadspace 2 will be great with move.

  • slippysloppy #11 1 year ago

    Sounds a bit more realistic than the usual Sony bull. Personally I'm not convinced by either. Kinect had me a year ago when it was Project Natal but lost me when I saw the line-up, price and distance restrictions. Move is doing nothing to convince me either, it's the controller for me and the Wii for when my folks come to visit and we fancy a bash on Wii Sports/Resort.

  • karooo #12 1 year ago

    Sony expects motion controller PlayStation Move will succeed through strong world of mouth over time rather than huge sales at launch.

    World ? you guys should atleast check it once before you publish a news story

  • Bradach #13 1 year ago

    @karooo
    I agree DS2 would be great with move but this hasn't been confirmed. (i hope it will) maybe you're getting confused with DS Extraction, which has move support.

  • flaming.carrot #14 1 year ago

    I've got in on preorder, though I'm not even sure what games exactly will be available on launch day. I'll probably pick up RUSE at the same time.

  • Dolly #15 1 year ago

    A pretty honest assessment really. When I took my guitar hero set with drums etc around to the in-laws last Christmas, it inspired over £1000 worth of purchases just because of the fun we had in a few days with it.
    My In-laws, and a few of my missus's other relatives all bought PS3's and the game so that they could play it at home.

    I'm pretty sure that they'll all want to buy Move once I show them that as well, if it works as well as it has been demo'ed to.

  • AphoticCosmos #16 1 year ago

    Lower expectations drastically, then claim victory when sales are higher than said low expectation. Not surprising.

    Big corporation in marketing shocker!

  • DavoTheDiv_2010 #17 1 year ago

    My God! Where did you all learn English?!! Shocking.

  • jonbwfc #18 1 year ago

    @repairmanjack
    I read somewhere all the demos will be up on PSN on launch day. I'd also imagine a couple of the smaller games - that block balancing one for example - will be PSN rather than disk anyway.

  • NotSoSlim #19 1 year ago

    Why would you allow reviews 2 weeks before launch? Do games get review two weeks before release?

    You will see reviews for it week before and leading up to it. Also previews have said it works and damage control is far fetched. Simple facts are people will look at it and see a wii rip off but until you actually play with the controller you cannot pass judgement. The game support for it has been great
    Edited by 4 at 26/08/10 @ 13:33

  • JBlokeUK #20 1 year ago

    Pre-ordered the starter kit today, looking forward to trying it and have been quite impressed with the support for it so far.

  • Mkwone #21 1 year ago

    @Earl, there's been plenty of hands on articles saying it works?

    I'm not quite sure comparing it to the eyetoy is the best option for sony though. I mean eyetoy wasn't the eytoy originally just for the one game and then spawned a few sequels? I think Move already has more games confirmed before release than the eyetoy had throughout it's entire lifespan.

    Anyway i think move will do well, i've pre-ordered the starter bundle and nav controller and will be getting R.U.S.E. i know a lot of other 'hardcore' gamers that are up very excited for it as well. But i thnk sony has a lot to prove to the synical out there that it will work well with proper games and that motion control doesn't have to mean waggle/shovel ware.

  • Arwin #22 1 year ago

    My count of games supporting Move in some way or other is already over 50 ... (check the list on this site: http://iwaggle.blogspot. com/ ) I think Move may well do rather good at launch too, but it's definitely something that will build up.

    As for embargo, I think the embargo lifts 1 September or something like that? I wonder when the new firmware is released - I could understand if they want to have people review it with the latest firmware.

    Right now you can already play the new MAG beta with the Move, as well as the RUSE demo. So the software is already there sort of and we're still three weeks out ... can't wait to get the hardware!

  • drxym #23 1 year ago

    Move isn't going to flop but at the same time it's not going to sell to every PS3 owner based on a handful of original titles and some rejigged control schemes for existing ones. I expect sales will depend on how they bundle the thing with games / consoles more than on standalone sales.

  • Bleemo #24 1 year ago

    "We are all totally in the dark about whether it works well or not and it is out in a few weeks!"

    My names Earl as I live and breathe, there's been a lot of articles about the move including a fairly comprehensive demo at Eurogamer itself....

    http://ww w.eurogamer.net/articles/digita...

  • captainrentboy #25 1 year ago

    In my poxy lil shop we have 15 Move preorders and 100+ Kinect ones, if that's an indicator of how it's looking for Sony throughout the UK then yeah, they'd better hope word of mouth is excellent.
    The problem is no matter how hard we try to sell the benefits of Move to the average gamer, it'll always come back to ''Soooo it's a Wiimote with a colour changing ball on the end?''
    Edit- Personally after the whole Kinect fiasco over the last few months I'm more inclined to go with Move, but then I remember I'm a lazy twat and would actually prefer to just hold a control pad in my hand :/
    Edited by 1 at 26/08/10 @ 12:50

  • raloB #26 1 year ago

    Could be something to do with the lack of a 'Killer App'. Until there is something to talk about, no one will talk.

  • Dizzy #27 1 year ago

    "In my poxy lil shop we have 15 Move preorders and 100+ Kinect ones, if that's an indicator of how it's looking for Sony throughout the UK then yeah, they'd better hope word of mouth is excellent"

    It is logical I guess. For many Move is just a Wii-mote.

  • swissorc #28 1 year ago

    Just wondering how many morons will totally contradict themselves from bashing wii motion controls for the last few years and will now turn around and bum them as being the second coming now the motion controller has a sony logo on it?

    PS not trying provoke anyone as I think if i did have a ps3 (which i don't) i would day one move. This is a genuine thought that NO ONE seems to have voiced on this site. And since I love my wii it will be interesting to see what all these fanboys will say.

    I also resent cash in's and poorly implemented design Captinrentboy but my issue is the title which use it well are given acknowledgement outside of nintendo loyalist like myself.

    PS if they are moaning about not threads on the forums to talk about in the next pod cast I suggest they run with this debate
    Edited by 1 at 26/08/10 @ 13:02

  • Bleemo #29 1 year ago

    "Could be something to do with the lack of a 'Killer App'. Until there is something to talk about, no one will talk."

    I think that is what is killing both of these devices to be honest no major game. The Wii based its entire existence around the motion controls where as these things are tacked on and all the support is already existing games + Sorcery and a bunch of Wii knock offs.

  • raloB #30 1 year ago

    I think Dance Central will go some way to fill the 'Killer App' void. Aerial Installers are just not enough for bored housewives these days!

  • captainrentboy #31 1 year ago

    swissorc, personally I've got nothing against motion controls, especially if they're implemented well and add a lil fun to the overall experience. What I've got a problem with is how lazy developers became once motion controls were big business, the amount of ''me too'' games on the Wii is staggering and from the looks of Kinect and Move's line up it's going to happen all over again on these two formats.

  • BAM! #32 1 year ago

    Review embargo on Move hardware and software ends on 1st September.

    Surprised Sony are saying this as from what I've heard preorders for Move are pretty good. Not record breaking or anything but definitely enough to have a successful product. Maybe it's a double bluff.

  • Gromit #33 1 year ago

    Day one purchase for me. Pre-ordering the starter kit & a second Move controller.

    Can't wait to get my chubby hands on Kung Fu Riders!

  • NotSoSlim #34 1 year ago

    Guessing online reorders are slot higher than in shops due to cheaper price. Think once KZ3 gets release this will take off but Kinect will out sell but i think Sony have a goal of how much they want to sell. Word of mouth is working tho going by gamescom coverage

  • Rack #35 1 year ago

    Expecting consumers to behave intelligently? Risky move if you ask me.

  • makeamazing #36 1 year ago

    Wont be pre-ordering, just going to get it day 1 most likely. I think Sony has a much better start up line up than kinect at the moment (dont know if they are going to have any more announcements), but Sony still needs more to slowly convince people that its not just a wii remote.

    But as RE5 Gold is only £12, i think that is a good starting point for me, and i am also considering Ruse because of Move control, about time there was a good RTS/controlled game on the consoles. Maybe if they could convince devs to do a HD version of Command and Conquer pack, or Starcraft, that would help :)

  • thesonglessbird #37 1 year ago

    Will buy when there's a killer app out for it. Until then, I remain static.

  • raloB #38 1 year ago

    I'd imagine nearly all Move orders will be placed on the internet. I certainly don't know many people who would go into a shop and ask the assistant for a big black glowing phallus and then bending over to pay for the full package.

    Although, if they manage to launch a controller with dual shock, there could be an audience amongst previous mentioned demographic!
    Edited by 1 at 26/08/10 @ 13:12

  • FortysixterUK #39 1 year ago

    Yeah," not expecting huge day one " ?.... this is 'cos its already on Wii, and people won't care.
    This and Kinnect = FAIL.
    And I'm a fan of 360 and PS3, but just don't see either console as the casual gamers domain, so these new bits of tech are very over priced and un-necessary IMO.

  • Arwin #40 1 year ago

    Move is anything but overpriced, imho.

    Anyway, if I were a betting man, I'd put money on Move succeeding in a pretty big way.

  • bladdard #41 1 year ago

    I think Sony are playing things down but have a gut feeling they're onto something with Move. All the previews have raved about the accuracy, Move might look like a Wiimote but given the right software it's capable of far more. Day 1 for me? Probably not but I'll look on with avid interest.

  • hy4000uk #42 1 year ago

    IT LOOKS LIKE THE WII!
    IT ACTS LIKE THE WII!

    BUT BROTHER THIS AINT THE WII!

  • lockload #43 1 year ago

    The only people buying this will br current ps3 owners

    No-one with a Wii only will bother, it looks like the same thing to them but £150 more expensive

  • himmelsturmerIX #44 1 year ago

    It wont be a first day purchase for me. Because I'm saving my money for GT5. :D
    I probably get it some time next year along with Heavy Rain as I haven't play that game yet.

  • himmelsturmerIX #45 1 year ago

    I hope there will be Hot Shot tennis on PS3, and rhythm music games, and gun games such as point blank using Move.

  • Soton4084 #46 1 year ago

    Well I've been extremely skeptical about move and thought that Kinect was going to be the superior product. However, the price of Kinect and rumours about it's weaknesses (e.g. apparently you can't sit down whilst using it) have really turned me off it. On the other hand, I was in my local HMV the other day, saw the move bundle and was extremely tempted to place a preorder.

    It seems to be very well priced and the range of launch games is good. I also like the fact that they aren't just focusing on the casual market and some more hardcore games are making use of it. I think move could be very big for Sony.

  • NHDavid #47 1 year ago

    Day one purchase for me. Pre-ordering the starter kit & a second Move controller.

    Can't wait to get my chubby hands on Kung Fu Riders!

    Umm....IGN gave it a 3.5...ROTFLMAO!

  • shawnlee100 #48 1 year ago

    Wont be pre-ordering, just going to get it day 1 most likely. I think Sony has a much better start up line up than kinect at the moment (dont know if they are going to have any more announcements), but Sony still needs more to slowly convince people that its not just a wii remote.
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